‘Cremation only’ funerals in France

Reader question: Being of a certain age, I am researching funeral costs that my wife and children will have to pay. I am surprised at costs being quoted by the funeral homes at around €5,000 to €6000 euros for a simple funeral. Do ‘cremation only’ options exist like those offered by some firms in the UK?

With regard to less expensive funeral options in France, it is certainly best to look at cremation, which allows for less costly ongoing expenses than are required for a burial plot.

The costs you cite are higher than average, though they can vary significantly from one part of the country to another.

Note that after a death family may ask for quotes from more than one funeral director and these should be provided itemised. Some elements, such as a coffin, are essential, while others are optional.

As for ‘cremation only’ options, referring to a simple cremation without a ceremony, yes, these do exist in France and are known as crémation directe.

Such options are generally about half the price of the full ‘with ceremony’ kind.

A ‘direct’ version may be chosen for cost reasons or for example because the person did not want any religious rites or other ceremonial.

Apart from the basic fee for the cremation, however, there are additional costs that make up the fee including transport of the person’s body, the coffin, an urn for the ashes etc.

Even in the case of a direct cremation, a traditional wooden coffin is required.

Note that with such options, the family may not be able to choose the time of the cremation. The presence of a few close family may be permitted, but often it is not possible to have many guests.

Family members can arrange a separate memorial event afterwards if they wish to do so.

Whether or not you make your wish for such a kind of ceremony known, which can be done in your will or in a separate document, another way to help ease the burden for loved ones is to take out assurance obsèques (funeral insurance), which is often offered by the high street banks, among other providers.

These may either be a so-called en capital kind, that pays out a lump sum to a named beneficiary, or en prestations, which finances funeral arrangements, generally with a specific firm of funeral directors to whom the money is paid out.

“Prestations” contracts often come in two main types, en prestations standardisées (standardised services) or en prestations personnalisées (personalised services).

The latter, as it sounds, means that you can plan in more detail, for example, what you want to happen in the ceremony and how much the funeral should cost, whereas the former pays for a standard set of services.

When taking one out you can discuss your budget with the insurer and the payment can either be made in one go or by periodic contributions.

Depending on the contract, payments can also be over a set period or ongoing (viager); the choice will depend on budget and life expectancy.